Wolverine meets hiring goals, nets $300K

The Wayne County Council on Wednesday approved the payment of $300,000 to Wolverine Worldwide as part of that company's incentive package as it consolidates its operation in Richmond.

The money previously was approved and comes from the county's Consolidated Economic Development Income Tax fund.

County board of commissioners president Denny Burns told council members that Wolverine had surpassed its hiring goals and other benchmarks to secure the grant.

"It's encouraging to see this project moving along swiftly," Burns said.

Wolverine Worldwide operates locally as Stride Rite Corporation in Richmond. The company initially had 130 jobs in Richmond and has added 120 and will add 64 jobs in the coming months, said Valerie Shaffer, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County.

"We're excited about The Stride Rite Corporation's commitment to the community and their plans to not only stay here but to grow here," she said.

The company is located at 1400 Industries Road on the city's northwest side. The project placing it in the former Dana Corporation headquarters involved a partnership among the EDC, the city of Richmond and the city's Redevelopment Commission, which has pledged $2.5 million in Certified Technology Park funds.

County commissioner Mary Anne Butters said she was thrilled to see the increased business activity on the city's northwest side.

"I think it's wonderful to see that parking lot full," she said. "Their client base is global so we see people at that facility at all hours of the day and night.

"These are 21st-century jobs," Butters said. "It's great to have manufacturing here and to pursue those jobs but Wolverine represents the cerebral aspect of doing business."

The money will be used for purchase and installation of new computer hardware, training and for some interior and exterior property improvements, according to their EDC application.

County council approved spending $333,600 for the county's Cumulative Bridge Fund to replace the deck on the Turnpike Road bridge just west of Hagerstown. The money is the 20 percent local match for federal bridge funds plus all construction inspection costs. Total cost of the project is $870,000. County engineer Bob Warner said he expects the work to begin this year but most of the construction will be done in 2015.